India and Iran will together review the issue of maximum residue levels (MRL) of pesticides in teas in order to increase India’s exports of the commodity to the high-value market.

During the visit of an official delegation, it was decided that a joint technical group would review this issue, at a time when Iranian importers are seeking increased level of orthodox tea exports from India, with an assurance on the MRL front.

“They want more of our orthodox teas,” a member of the delegation, which returned last month, toldThe Hindu. The 18-member-delegation was led by the additional secretary, commerce, and comprised members of the exporting community, officials of Tea Board, Indian Tea Association and research scientists from the Tea Board and the Tea Research Association. Orthodox teas are made in the same way as crush tear and curl CTC teas, but with most of the leaf remaining in tact, they are subtly flavourful and are the beverage of choice of discerning tea drinkers the world over. They also fetch better prices. Detailed discussions were held on the MRL issue and the need to align the pesticides in use in India and Iran came to light. The Indian team pointed out that the Indian teas were accepted worldwide..........Read more

Source web page:THE HINDU